Ford’s latest safety gimmick to warn drivers about pedestrians’ intentions

Ford has unveiled another invention meant to improve the communication between smart cars and their surroundings. The system maintains a permanent C-V2X (‘Vehicle-to-Everything’) link to gather data from all nearby sources and, allegedly, even interpret the intentions of pedestrians and cyclists.

The device gathers data from the traffic lights, smartphones, wearable gadgets, sensors installed on electric scooters and bikes, and then passes it along to other traffic participants. According to the company, it works like this: whenever you need to cross a road, your phone sends a corresponding notice to the approaching cars via Bluetooth. The drivers get a warning signal and improve their awareness.

Along with this tech, Ford unveiled another project in development: a Blockchain-based communications network for self-driving cars. The system is designed to help autonomous vehicles decide in which order they get to cross difficult intersections and junctions.

Photo: Ford